On Tuesday, Oct. 6 the Charles County Commissioners recognized Oct. 4-10 as Fire Prevention Week. Home fires killed 2,755 United States residents in 2013, according to the National Fire Protection Association, and U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home fires. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of death in home fires by 50 percent, and half of all home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., when most people are asleep.
The 2015 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” effectively serves to remind us that we need working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
Charles County is fortunate to have more than 1,000 volunteer professionals combat fires and help reduce the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education. The Commissioners encourage Charles County residents to make home fire safety a priority.
Pictured, left to right: Commissioner Bobby Rucci (District 4); Commissioner Amanda M. Stewart, M.Ed. (District 3); Lynn Gilroy (President, Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association); Commissioner Vice President Ken Robinson (District 1); Mark Kaufmann, Jr.(Charles County Fire Chief); Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2);
Doug Hutchins, Chief, La Plata Volunteer Fire Department; and Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy